Simple electric setup

I have been looking at this build for awhile and about to go with it. What do you guys think? http://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-brewing-system/

 

That looks like a nice build. I wouldn't say it is a " Simple electric setup", with pids etc.... Simple electric setup to me is an element, power cord, GFI outlet and a switch

Take a look at Bobby M's brewhardware.com element enclosures, for the money it may not be worth messing with electrical box enclosures. jmo https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/hotpod-ewl.htm

 

Well simple to me lol I work with electronics at my job for the last 7 years. This should be simple enough, figure a day or two to build.

I have looked at his items but thought I could build my self for cheaper.

My real goal here is low cost and effective brewing.

 

I built this! See http://www.homebrewtalk.com/photo/simple-control-box-64165.html.

I have to say that while it performs the basics, I've already purchased all the parts to make a bigger wall-mounted panel that doesn't sit on my brew-bench. I don't like that it's in the way and that I have to grab the box with one hand while I use the other to tinker with PID settings.

That said, it was an awesome learning experience putting this together and I can use those same experiences to build my next one.

Let me know if you need more information - be happy to provide it.

 

Find a good cheap plc controller... learn latter logic and be done with it

 

Mine is as simple as they come and works like a charm
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/lives-507794/

 

My only major grip is that you're using romex as a cordset.

 

Yes and WHY?

Look around here at some of the build threads. There are a lot of good ideas to be found.

 

Johnfocht,
The link you provided goes to a fat tire clone thread not an electric build.

 

an ammo box or a plastic electrial enclosure from home depot can be found very cheap.
as far as pids the mypin TD4 is the cheapest one out there with manual pwm mode to control a steady boil...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-D...621?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20d8476745
you can get them with cheap ssrs that usually work fine when used with a heat sink for $31 shipped together...

these work awesome and are nice and compact as well... I just used 2 on my latest build for the elements.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321514587280?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

these are only 23a but at the most thats all a 5500w element draws at full power ...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-250V-23A...2&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=321514587280&rt=nc

 

lol... that can be a hobby in itself... some of the equipment I service uses multiple PLC and MUC controllers...

 

I guess it is yeah. I just really like the control it gives over the process. Latter logic isn't that hard once you get a good grasp on the concept.

 

For the record, it's ladder logic, not latter logic, but you're right it's a pretty simple concept that repeated over and over again. I find ladder logic to be a lot more tedious than combinational logic, but it's a lot easier to learn.

 

well my spelling sux as I type too fast and fingers and brain are not in sync. thank for the correction.